Published 7:00 pm, Friday, December 3, 2004

After several painful weeks, Tom Waskevich will visit with family and friends who supported him throughout his stay at the burn unit in a Utah hospital.

What began as a benefit organized by his fellow employees in the Bullock Creek Public Schools transportation department has expanded to a community effort. There will be a benefit from 4 to 7 p.m. tonight in the Bullock Creek High School cafeteria to raise money for the Waskevich family. A goodwill offering will be collected during the spaghetti dinner and bake sale.

"It started with the bus drivers wanting to do something. It was their idea, then it kind of got overwhelming," said Lynnae Osborne, Bullock Creek transportation director. "He helps out so many people and everyone really wanted to help him. He's just very generous and helps out any family in need."

Osborne said Waskevich took shopping a family whose house burned down and will help people with car problems without expecting payment.

"He's a big teddy bear," she said.

Waskevich and his wife, Deb, returned to Midland Tuesday night and plan to attend the benefit.

"When they called to ask me what I thought of the benefit, I said it didn't matter to me because I had no idea if we'd be home by then," Deb said.